Efficient AC operation using dew-point temperature

ABSTRACT

A system for controlling air-conditioning in a vehicle includes an input, a sensor, a first offset module, and an evaporator temperature control module. The input receives an input temperature. The first sensor measures a first dewpoint temperature of air adjacent to a windshield of the vehicle. The first offset module generates a second dewpoint temperature based on the input temperature and generates a first offset based on the first and second dewpoint temperatures. The evaporator temperature control module generates a target evaporator temperature based on the first offset.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application61/056,469 filed May 28, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle air-conditioning (AC) systems,and more particularly to systems and methods for efficient operation ofvehicle AC systems using dew-point temperature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, different temperature control systemsused in vehicles to control cabin temperature are shown. In FIG. 1A, amanual temperature control (MTC) system 10 is shown. The MTC system 10comprises user controls 12, an air-conditioning (AC) control module 14,a compressor 16, a blower 17, and an evaporator 18.

An occupant uses user controls 12 to manually set and adjust the cabintemperature. For example, the occupant can set a desired cabintemperature, adjust a speed of the blower 17, and/or turn the AC on oroff. The AC control module 14 controls the compressor 16 based on thesettings input by the occupant and by sensing the temperature of theevaporator 18. When the user turns the blower 17 on, the blower 17 blowsfresh air from outside the vehicle into the cabin or recirculates theair in the cabin depending on an airflow mode selected by the user.

In FIG. 1B, an automatic temperature control (ATC) system 20 is shown.The ATC system 20 comprises the user controls 12, an AC control module22, the compressor 16, the blower 17 and the evaporator 18.

The occupant initially sets the desired cabin temperature. Thereafter,the ATC system 20 automatically maintains the desired cabin temperaturebased on inputs received from interior and exterior of the cabin and bysensing the temperature of the evaporator 18. Additionally, the ACcontrol module 22 controls the blower 17 and selects the airflow mode.When the AC control module 22 turns the blower 17 on, the blower 17blows fresh air from outside the vehicle into the cabin or recirculatesthe cabin air depending on the airflow mode selected.

Typically, the ATC system 20 maintains the desired cabin temperature byturning the compressor 16 on and by maintaining an evaporatortemperature at a low value (e.g., 35 F to 38 F). When the evaporatortemperature is maintained at the low value, however, the compressor 16is turned on at all times. Consequently, the ATC system 20 increasesenergy consumption and decreases fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for controlling air-conditioning of a vehicle controls acompressor by operating an evaporator in a predetermined temperaturerange. The system includes an input, a plurality of sensors, an offsetmodule, an evaporator temperature control module, and anair-conditioning (AC) control module.

The input receives an input temperature desired by an occupant. Thesensors measure a plurality of parameters including a first dewpointtemperature of air adjacent to a windshield measured by a first sensor.The offset module generates a second dewpoint temperature based on theinput temperature and generates a first offset based on the first andsecond dewpoint temperatures. Additionally, the offset module generatesa plurality of offsets based on outputs generated by the sensors. Theevaporator temperature control module generates a target evaporatortemperature based on a predetermined evaporator temperature and theoffsets.

The AC control module controls at least one of a compressor, a blower,and a mode of airflow inside the vehicle based on the target evaporatortemperature. The AC control module turns the compressor on until theevaporator reaches the target evaporator temperature. The AC controlmodule turns the compressor off when a sum of the offsets is zero.

The system further includes a fog control module that communicates withthe AC control module and the evaporator temperature control module. Thefog control module controls defogging of the windshield based on adifference between the first dewpoint temperature and a glasstemperature of the windshield measured by the first sensor.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of an exemplary manual temperaturecontrol system according to the prior art;

FIG. 1B is a functional block diagram of an exemplary automatictemperature control system according to the prior art;

FIG. 2A is a functional block diagram of an exemplary automatictemperature control system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2B is an exemplary graph of target evaporator temperature versusambient temperature according to the present invention;

FIG. 2C is an exemplary table showing points of the graph of FIG. 2Baccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a table showing dewpoint temperatures corresponding todifferent desired temperatures at different percentages of relativehumidity;

FIG. 3B is an exemplary graph of user dewpoint offset versus userdewpoint difference according to the present invention;

FIG. 3C is an exemplary user dewpoint offset table showing points of thegraph of FIG. 3B according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a graph of dewpoint temperature versus desired temperature(i.e., setpoint temperature). at different percentages of relativehumidity;

FIG. 5A is an exemplary graph of sunload offset versus sunload sumaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 5B is an exemplary sunload offset table showing points of the graphof FIG. 5A according to the present invention;

FIG. 6A is an exemplary graph of ambient temperature offset versus adifference between ambient and setpoint temperatures according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 6B is an exemplary ambient temperature offset table showing pointsof the graph of FIG. 6A according to the present invention;

FIG. 7A is an exemplary graph of cabin dewpoint offset versus adifference between actual dewpoint and average cabin temperatureaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 7B is an exemplary cabin dewpoint offset table showing points ofthe graph of FIG. 7A according to the present invention;

FIG. 8A is an exemplary graph of cabin-front temperature offset versus alower difference value between actual dewpoint and average cabintemperature according to the present invention;

FIG. 8B is an exemplary cabin-front temperature offset table showingpoints of the graph of FIG. 8A according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for generating a targetevaporator temperature according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary defogging systemaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for defogging a windshieldof a vehicle according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention discloses an ATC system that maintains the desiredcabin temperature by maintaining the evaporator temperature at a highestpossible value at which occupants feel comfortable. Additionally, thecompressor 16 can be turned off by determining when running thecompressor 16 is unnecessary to maintain the desired cabin temperature.

Specifically, instead of maintaining the evaporator temperature at apredetermined low value, the evaporator 18 is operated within apredetermined or targeted temperature range. A target evaporatortemperature is determined based on a plurality of inputs. The inputsinclude psychrometric parameters of the air inside the cabin. Forexample, the inputs include a dewpoint temperature of the air inside thecabin. The psychrometric parameters are measured by psychrometricsensors. For example, the dewpoint temperature is accurately measured(i.e., not estimated) by a combination humidity sensor mounted adjacentto a windshield of the vehicle (e.g., at a base of a rear view mirror).The compressor 16 is turned on only until the temperature of theevaporator 18 reaches the target evaporator temperature. Thereafter, thecompressor 16 is turned off.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, an ATC system 90 according to the presentinvention is shown. In FIG. 2A, the ATC system 90 comprises the usercontrols 12, an evaporator control system 100, an AC control module 116,the compressor 16, the blower 17, and the evaporator 18. The evaporatorcontrol system 100 generates the target evaporator temperature. The ACcontrol module 116 controls the compressor 16 based on the targetevaporator temperature. Additionally, the AC control module 116 controlsthe blower 17.

The evaporator control system 100 comprises a user input module 101, apsychrometric sensor 102, infrared sensors 104, sunload sensors 106, anambient temperature sensor 108, an offset generator module 110, and anevaporator temperature generator module 112. As an example, thepsychrometric sensor 102 includes a combination humidity sensor 102. Asan example, the offset generator module 110 comprises a user dewpointoffset module 120, a sunload offset module 124, an ambient temperatureoffset module 126, a cabin dewpoint offset module 128, and a cabin-fronttemperature offset module 130. The offset generator module 110 caninclude fewer or additional offset modules.

The user input module 101 receives inputs from occupants via the usercontrols 12. The sensors sense respective parameters and generate outputsignals. The offset generator module 110 generates one or more offsetsbased on the inputs received by the user input module 101 and the outputsignals received from the sensors. The evaporator temperature generatormodule 112 generates the target evaporator temperature for theevaporator 18 based on one or more of the offsets.

The AC control module 116 senses the temperature of the evaporator 18,turns the compressor 16 on, and controls the speed of the compressor 16until the temperature of the evaporator 18 reaches the target evaporatortemperature. The AC control module 116 turns the compressor 16 off whenthe temperature of the evaporator 18 is substantially equal to thetarget evaporator temperature (i.e., when a sum of the offsets is zero).Additionally, the AC control module 116 senses and controls the speed ofthe blower 17 and selects the airflow mode.

Specifically, the evaporator temperature generator module 112 generatesthe target evaporator temperature during each proportional integralderivative (PID) control loop of the compressor 16. The evaporatortemperature generator module 112 generates the target evaporatortemperature by subtracting one or more offsets from a predeterminedevaporator temperature. As an example, the target evaporator temperatureranges between a maximum of 52 F and a minimum of 38 F. An exemplarygraph of the target evaporator temperature versus ambient temperature isshown in FIG. 2B, and a table corresponding to the graph is shown inFIG. 2C.

More specifically, the user input module 101 receives one or moredesired temperature settings set by one or more occupants (e.g., adriver and a front passenger) of the vehicle using user controls 12. Thetemperature settings are hereinafter referred to as driver and passengersetpoints (collectively setpoints). The input module 101 generatesoutput signals indicating the driver and passenger setpoints.

The combination humidity sensor 102 measures a windshield glasstemperature, a windshield air temperature, and a relative humidity (RH)of the air proximate to the combination humidity sensor 102. Thecombination humidity sensor 102 calculates the dewpoint temperature ofthe air proximate to the combination humidity sensor 102 (hereinafteractual dewpoint or measured dewpoint) based on the windshield glasstemperature, the windshield air temperature, and the RH of the air. Thecombination humidity sensor 102 generates output signals indicating thewindshield glass temperature, the windshield air temperature, the RH,and the actual dewpoint.

The infrared sensors 104 are mounted at various locations inside thecabin (e.g., in driver, passenger, and/or rear area of the cabin). Theinfrared sensors 104 sense the temperature of the air inside the cabinand generate output signals indicating the temperature of the air on thedriver and passenger sides of the cabin.

One or more sunload sensors 106 are mounted on a dashboard of thevehicle (e.g., one on driver side and another on passenger side). Thesunload sensors 106 measure sunload on the dashboard by sensing solarradiation. The sunload sensors 106 generate output signals indicatingthe sunload on the driver and passenger sides of the dashboard.

The ambient temperature sensor 108 senses the ambient temperatureoutside the vehicle. The ambient temperature sensor 108 generates anoutput signal indicating the ambient temperature.

On receiving the output signals generated by the input module 101 andthe sensors, the offset generator module 110 generates one or moreoffsets. Specifically, the user dewpoint offset module 120 generates auser dewpoint offset. The sunload offset module 124 generates a sunloadoffset. The ambient temperature offset module 126 generates the ambienttemperature offset. The cabin dewpoint offset module 128 generates acabin dewpoint offset. The cabin-front temperature offset module 130generates a cabin-front temperature offset. A description of each offsetfollows.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, the user dewpoint offset module 120generates the user dewpoint offset as follows. In FIG. 3A, a temperaturetable is shown. The temperature table shows dewpoint temperaturescorresponding to different setpoints at different percentages of RHaccording to American Society of Heating, Refrigerating andAir-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards.

For example, when 50% RH is desired (since humans are generallycomfortable when the RH is between 45% and 55%), the dewpointtemperature corresponding to a setpoint of 70 F is 50.5 F. The dewpointtemperature 50.5 F is referred to as a target dewpoint for the setpointof 70 F at 50% RH. The user dewpoint offset module 120 includes memoryand stores the temperature table in memory. When used, the user dewpointoffset module 120 receives the output signals generated by the userinput module 101 indicating the driver and passenger setpoints. The userdewpoint offset module 120 generates the target dewpoint correspondingto a lower of the driver and passenger setpoints at a predetermined RH(e.g., 50%) based on the temperature table.

Additionally, the user dewpoint offset module 120 receives the outputsignal generated by the combination humidity sensor 102 indicating theactual dewpoint. The user dewpoint offset module 120 generates adifference between the target and actual dewpoints. The difference iscalled a user dewpoint difference.

The user dewpoint offset module 120 stores a user dewpoint offset tablefor a predetermined RH in memory. An exemplary user dewpoint offsettable for 50% RH is shown in the form of a graph of user dewpoint offsetversus the user dewpoint difference in FIG. 3B and in a correspondingtable in FIG. 3C. The user dewpoint offset module 120 generates the userdewpoint offset corresponding to the user dewpoint difference based onthe user dewpoint offset table. The user dewpoint offset module 120generates an output signal indicating the user dewpoint offset.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the user dewpoint offset module 120 can storemultiple user dewpoint offset tables. For example, the user dewpointoffset module 120 can store user dewpoint offset tables for 45%, 50%,and 55% RH. The user dewpoint offset module 120 can generate the userdewpoint offset for any RH between 45% and 55%. Accordingly, theevaporator temperature generator module 112 can generate differenttarget evaporator temperatures corresponding to different values of RH.The evaporator temperature generator module 112 can receive feedbackfrom the AC control module 116. Based on the feedback, the evaporatortemperature generator module 112 can select the RH at which thecompressor 16 operates most efficiently.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the sunload offset module 124generates the sunload offset as follows. The sunload offset module 124receives the output signals generated by the sunload sensors 106indicating the sunload on the driver and passenger sides of thedashboard. The sunload offset module 124 generates a sum of normalizedvalues of the output signals, filters the sum, and generates a sunloadsum.

The sunload offset module 124 includes memory and stores a sunloadoffset table for a predetermined RH in memory. An example of the sunloadoffset table for 50% RH is shown in the form of a graph of the sunloadoffset versus the sunload sum in FIG. 5A an in a table in FIG. 5B. Thesunload offset module 124 generates the sunload offset corresponding tothe sunload sum based on the sunload offset table. The sunload offsetmodule 124 generates an output signal indicating the sunload offset.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the ambient temperature offset module126 generates the ambient temperature offset as follows. The ambienttemperature offset module 126 receives the output signal generated bythe ambient temperature sensor 108 indicating the ambient temperature.Additionally, the ambient temperature offset module 126 receives theoutput signals generated by the user input module 101 indicating thedriver and passenger setpoints. The ambient temperature offset module126 generates a difference between the ambient temperature and a lowerof the driver and passenger setpoints.

The ambient temperature offset module 126 includes memory and stores anambient temperature offset table for a predetermined RH in memory. Anexample of the ambient temperature offset table for 50% RH is shown inthe form of a graph of the ambient temperature offset versus thedifference in FIG. 6A and in a table in FIG. 6B. The ambient temperatureoffset module 126 generates the ambient temperature offset correspondingto the difference based on the ambient temperature offset table. Theambient temperature offset module 126 generates an output signalindicating the ambient temperature offset.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cabin dewpoint offset module 128generates the cabin dewpoint offset as follows. The cabin dewpointoffset module 128 receives the output signal generated by thecombination humidity sensor 102 indicating the actual dewpoint.Additionally, the cabin dewpoint offset module 128 receives the outputsignals generated by the infrared sensors 104 indicating thetemperatures of the air on the driver and passenger sides of the cabin.The cabin dewpoint offset module 128 generates an average cabintemperature by averaging the temperatures. The cabin dewpoint offsetmodule 128 generates a difference between the actual dewpoint and theaverage cabin temperature.

The cabin dewpoint offset module 128 includes memory and stores a cabindewpoint offset table for a predetermined RH in memory. An example ofthe cabin dewpoint offset table for 50% RH is shown in the form of agraph of the cabin dewpoint offset versus the difference in FIG. 7A andin a table in FIG. 7B. The cabin dewpoint offset module 128 generatesthe cabin dewpoint offset corresponding to the difference based on thecabin dewpoint offset table. The cabin dewpoint offset module 128generates an output signal indicating the cabin dewpoint offset.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the cabin-front temperature offsetmodule 130 generates the cabin-front temperature offset as follows. Thecabin-front temperature offset module 130 receives the output signalsgenerated by the infrared sensors 104 indicating the temperatures of theair on the driver and passenger sides of the cabin-front. Additionally,the cabin-front temperature offset module 130 receives the outputsignals generated by the user input module 101 indicating the driver andpassenger setpoints.

The cabin-front temperature offset module 130 generates a firstdifference between the temperature of the air on the driver side and thedriver setpoint. The cabin-front temperature offset module 130 generatesa second difference between the temperature of the air on the passengerside and the passenger setpoint. The cabin-front temperature offsetmodule 130 selects a lower difference value of the first and seconddifferences.

The cabin-front temperature offset module 130 includes memory and storesa cabin-front temperature offset table for a predetermined RH in memory.An example of the cabin-front temperature offset table for 50% RH isshown in the form of a graph of the cabin-front temperature offsetversus the lower difference value in FIG. 8A and in a table in FIG. 8B.The cabin-front temperature offset module 130 generates the cabin-fronttemperature offset corresponding to the lower difference value based onthe cabin-front temperature offset table. The cabin-front temperatureoffset module 130 generates an output signal indicating the cabin-fronttemperature offset.

The evaporator temperature control module 112 generates the sum byadding some or all of the offsets, subtracts the sum from thepredetermined evaporator temperature, and generates the targetevaporator temperature. For example, if the user dewpoint offset is 2,the sunload offset is 1, the ambient temperature offset is 1, the cabindewpoint offset is 2, and the cabin-front temperature offset is 0, thesum of the offsets is 6. If the predetermined evaporator temperature is52 F, the target evaporator temperature is (52 F−6)=46 F. Accordingly,the AC control module 116 adjusts the compressor 16 until the evaporatortemperature reaches the target evaporator temperature of 46 F. If thesum of the offsets is zero, the AC control module 116 will turn thecompressor 16 off until the sum of the offsets is non-zero again. The ACcontrol module 116 does not keep the compressor 16 turned on until theevaporator temperature reaches the fixed low value of 38 F.

The ATC system 90 offers several benefits. Since the evaporator controlsystem 100 measures the actual dewpoint and does not estimate the actualdewpoint, the evaporator control system 100 generates the targetevaporator temperature precisely and accurately. Since the evaporatorcontrol system 100 generates the target evaporator temperature based onthe actual and target dewpoints, the ATC system 90 ensures the comfortof the occupants while operating at the highest possible evaporatortemperature.

Additionally, when the sum of the offsets is zero, the evaporatortemperature generator module 112 generates a control signal. Onreceiving the control signal, the AC control module 116 can turn thecompressor 16 off and blend fresh air from outside the vehicle into thecabin. Thus, the ATC system 90 decreases the energy consumption andincreases the fuel efficiency of the vehicle without sacrificing thecomfort of the occupants.

In some implementations, the AC control module 116 can set the targetevaporator temperature and control the speed of the compressor 16 basedon other factors in conjunction with the target evaporator temperaturegenerated by the evaporator control system 100.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a method 150 for generating the targetevaporator temperature according to the present invention is shown. Themethod 150 begins at step 152. The user input module 101 reads thesetpoints in step 154. The combination humidity sensor 102 measures thewindshield glass temperature, the windshield air temperature, and the RHof the air at the combination humidity sensor 102 and generates theactual dewpoint in step 156. In step 158, the offset generator module110 generates offsets based on the setpoints, the actual dewpoint, theoutput signals generated by the sensors, the temperature table, and theoffset tables.

In step 160, the evaporator temperature generator module 112 determinesif the sum of the offsets is zero or greater than zero. When the sum ofthe offsets is zero, the evaporator temperature generator module 112outputs the control signal to the AC control module 116 based on whichthe AC control module 116 turns the compressor 16 off and blends freshair into the cabin in step 162. The method 150 returns to step 154.

When the sum of the sum of the offsets is greater than zero, theevaporator temperature generator module 112 generates the targetevaporator temperature in step 164. In step 166, the AC control module116 turns the compressor 16 on and controls the compressor 16 based onthe target evaporator temperature in step 170. For example, the ACcontrol module 116 turns the compressor 16 on and controls the speed ofthe compressor 16 to reach the target evaporator temperature. The method150 returns to step 154.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a defogging system 200 that defogs thewindshield according to the present invention is shown. Fogging occurswhen the actual dewpoint of the air at the windshield is greater thanthe windshield glass temperature and approaches the windshield glasstemperature. Defogging can be achieved by increasing a differencebetween the windshield glass temperature and the actual dewpoint. Thedifference is called Delta T and is given by the following equation.

Delta T=Windshield glass temperature−Actual Dewpoint Delta T can beincreased (i.e., defogging can be achieved) by decreasing the actualdewpoint. The actual dewpoint can be decreased by increasing the airtemperature or by decreasing the RH of the air in the cabin. Thedefogging system 200 increases Delta T by decreasing the RH using AC asfollows.

The defogging system 200 comprises the evaporator control system 100, afog control module 202, the AC control module 116, the compressor 16,the blower 17, and the evaporator 18. The fog control module 202communicates with the evaporator control system 100 and the AC controlmodule 116. The fog control module 202 receives the windshield glasstemperature and the actual dewpoint from the combination humidity sensor102. The fog control module 202 generates Delta T.

When power is applied, the fog control module 202 determines if Delta Tis greater than or equal to a first predetermined threshold (e.g., 6.1C). If Delta T is greater than or equal to the first predeterminedthreshold, the fog control module 202 generates a control signal andoutputs the control signal to the AC control module 116 indicating thatdefogging is unnecessary.

If, however, Delta T is less than or equal to a second predeterminedthreshold (e.g., 4 C), the fog control module 202 generates a controlsignal and outputs the control signal to the AC control module 116. Onreceiving the control signal, the AC control module 116 begins defoggingas follows.

The AC control module 116 turns the compressor 16 on. The AC controlmodule 116 receives the ambient temperature from the ambient temperaturesensor 108. The AC control module 116 sets the target evaporatortemperature to 38 F or 42 F when the ambient temperature is below orabove 60 F, respectively. The AC control module 116 sets the airflowmode to mix mode (e.g., floor and defrost mode). The AC control module116 turns recirculation off and fresh air on. The AC control module 116turns the blower 17 on and sets the blower speed to a predeterminedspeed. The actual dewpoint begins to decrease, and Delta T begins toincrease.

As Delta T increases, the fog control module 202 compares Delta T to aplurality of predetermined thresholds. For example, the fog controlmodule 202 determines if Delta T≦5 C, Delta T≦6 C, and so on. The fogcontrol module 202 generates control signals indicating the values ofDelta T relative to the predetermined thresholds.

Alternatively, when power is applied, if Delta is not greater than orequal to the first predetermined threshold and not less than or equal tothe second predetermined threshold (e.g., 4 C≦Delta T≦6 C), the fogcontrol module 202 determines if Delta T is less than or equal to theplurality of predetermined thresholds. For example, the fog controlmodule 202 determines if Delta T≦4.3 C, Delta T≦5 C, and so on. The fogcontrol module 202 generates control signals indicating the values ofDelta T relative to the respective predetermined thresholds.

Based on the control signals (i.e., depending on the values of Delta T),the AC control module 116 performs one or more of the followingfunctions to complete defogging. The AC control module 116 turns thecompressor 16 on. The AC control module 116 uses the target evaporatortemperature generated by the evaporator control system 100 or sets thetarget evaporator temperature to 38 F or 42 F when the ambienttemperature is below or above 60 F. The AC control module 116 sets theairflow mode to mix mode (e.g., floor and defrost mode). The AC controlmodule 116 turns recirculation off and fresh air on. The AC controlmodule 116 turns the blower 17 on and sets the blower speed to thepredetermined speed.

When Delta T is greater than or equal to a third predetermined threshold(e.g., 8 C), the fog control module 202 generates a control signal andoutputs the control signal to the AC control module 116 indicating thatthe defogging is complete. The AC control module 116 stops the functionsrelative to defogging.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a method 250 for defogging the windshieldaccording to the present invention is shown. The method 250 begins atstep 252. The fog control module 202 determines in step 254 if Delta Tis greater than or equal to the first predetermined threshold (e.g., 6.1C). If the result of step 254 is true, the method 250 ends in step 264.If the result of step 254 is false, the fog control module 202determines in step 256 if Delta T is less than or equal to the secondpredetermined threshold (e.g., 4 C).

If the result of step 256 is true, the AC control module 116 performsthe following functions in step 258. The AC control module 116 turns thecompressor 16 on, sets the target evaporator temperature to 38 F or 42 Fwhen the ambient temperature is below or above 60 F, sets the airflowmode to mix mode (e.g., floor and defrost mode), turns recirculation offand fresh air on, turns the blower 17 on, and sets the blower speed tothe predetermined speed. The method 250 repeats step 256.

If the result of step 256 is false, the fog control module 202determines in step 260 if Delta T is greater than or equal to the thirdpredetermined threshold (e.g., 8 C). If the result of step 260 is false,the AC control module 116 performs one or more of the followingfunctions in step 262. The AC control module 116 turns the compressor 16on, uses the target evaporator temperature generated by the evaporatorcontrol system 100 or sets the target evaporator temperature to 38 F or42 F when the ambient temperature is below or above 60 F, sets theairflow mode to mix mode (e.g., floor and defrost mode), turnsrecirculation off and fresh air on, turns the blower 17 on, and sets theblower speed to the predetermined speed. The method 250 repeats step260. If the result of step 260 is true, the method 250 ends in step 264.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and,thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for controlling air-conditioning of avehicle, comprising: an input that receives an input temperature; asensor that measures relevant values and calculates a first dewpointtemperature of air adjacent to a windshield of said vehicle; a firstoffset module that generates a second dewpoint temperature based on saidinput temperature and that generates a first offset representing adifference between said first and second dewpoint temperatures; and anevaporator temperature control module that generates a target evaporatortemperature by offsetting a predetermined evaporator temperature by saidfirst offset.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said sensor generatessaid first dewpoint temperature by measuring a temperature and arelative humidity (RH) of said air adjacent to said windshield and aglass temperature of said windshield.
 3. The system of claim 1 whereinsaid first offset module generates said second dewpoint temperaturebased on a predetermined relative humidity (RH).
 4. The system of claim3 further comprising: a second offset module that generates a secondoffset at said predetermined RH based on a difference between an ambienttemperature outside said vehicle and said input temperature; a thirdoffset module that generates a third offset at said predetermined RHbased on a sunload inside said vehicle; a fourth offset module thatgenerates a fourth offset at said predetermined RH based on a differencebetween said first dewpoint temperature and a temperature inside saidvehicle; and a fifth offset module that generates a fifth offset at saidpredetermined RH based on a difference between said input temperatureand said temperature inside said vehicle, wherein said evaporatortemperature control module generates said target evaporator temperatureby subtracting a sum of said first offset and at least one of saidsecond, third, fourth, and fifth offsets from said predeterminedevaporator temperature.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein saidpredetermined RH includes RH between 45% and 55%, said predeterminedevaporator temperature includes a temperature of 52 F, and wherein saidtarget evaporator temperature includes a temperature between 38 F and 52F.
 6. The system of claim 4 further comprising an air-conditioning (AC)control module that controls at least one of a compressor, a blower, anda mode of airflow inside said vehicle based on said target evaporatortemperature, wherein said AC control module turns off said compressorwhen one of said sum is zero and a temperature of said evaporator issubstantially equal to said target evaporator temperature.
 7. The systemof claim 6 further comprising a fog control module that controlsdefogging of said windshield based on said first dewpoint temperatureand a glass temperature of said windshield measured by said sensor, andthat generates a difference between said first dewpoint temperature andsaid glass temperature, wherein said AC control module: does not turn onsaid compressor when said difference is greater than or equal to a firstthreshold temperature; and turns on said compressor when said differenceis less than or equal to a second threshold temperature.
 8. The systemof claim 7 wherein said first threshold temperature includes atemperature of 6.1 degrees Celsius, and wherein said second thresholdtemperature includes a temperature of 4 degrees Celsius.
 9. The systemof claim 7 wherein when a difference between said first dewpointtemperature and said glass temperature is between third and fourththresholds, said AC control module controls at least one of saidcompressor, said blower, and said mode of airflow by generating saidtarget evaporator temperature based on said ambient temperature.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9 wherein said third and fourth thresholds include 4 and8 degrees Celsius, respectively.
 11. A method for controllingair-conditioning of a vehicle, comprising: receiving an inputtemperature; measuring relevant values and calculating a first dewpointtemperature of air adjacent to a windshield of said vehicle using asensor; generating a second dewpoint temperature based on said inputtemperature; generating a first offset representing a difference betweensaid first and second dewpoint temperatures; and generating a targetevaporator temperature by offsetting a predetermined evaporatortemperature by said first offset.
 12. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising generating said first dewpoint temperature by measuring atemperature and a relative humidity (RH) of said air adjacent to saidwindshield and a glass temperature of said windshield using said sensor.13. The method of claim 11 further comprising: generating said seconddewpoint temperature based on a predetermined relative humidity (RH).14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: generating a secondoffset at said predetermined RH based on a difference between an ambienttemperature outside said vehicle and said input temperature; generatinga third offset at said predetermined RH based on a sunload inside saidvehicle; generating a fourth offset at said predetermined RH based on adifference between said first dewpoint temperature and a temperatureinside said vehicle; generating a fifth offset at said predetermined RHbased on a difference between said input temperature and saidtemperature inside said vehicle; and generating said target evaporatortemperature by subtracting a sum of said first offset and at least oneof said second, third, fourth, and fifth offsets from said predeterminedevaporator temperature.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein saidpredetermined RH includes RH between 45% and 55%, said predeterminedevaporator temperature includes a temperature of 52 F, and wherein saidtarget evaporator temperature includes a temperature between 38 F and 52F.
 16. The method of claim 14 further comprising: controlling at leastone of a compressor, a blower, and a mode of airflow inside said vehiclebased on said target evaporator temperature; and turning off saidcompressor when one of said sum is zero and a temperature of saidevaporator is substantially equal to said target evaporator temperature.17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: controlling defogging ofsaid windshield based on said first dewpoint temperature and a glasstemperature of said windshield measured by said sensor; generating adifference between said first dewpoint temperature and said glasstemperature; not turning on said compressor when said difference isgreater than or equal to a first threshold temperature; and turning onsaid compressor when said difference is less than or equal to a secondthreshold temperature.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein said firstthreshold temperature includes a temperature of 6.1 degrees Celsius, andwherein said second threshold temperature includes a temperature of 4degrees Celsius.
 19. The method of claim 17 further comprising, when adifference between said first dewpoint temperature and said glasstemperature is between third and fourth thresholds, controlling at leastone of said compressor, said blower, and said mode of airflow bygenerating said target evaporator temperature based on said ambienttemperature.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said third and fourththresholds include 4 and 8 degrees Celsius, respectively.